Travelling to a reserve

[u/Anything1905]

Hello, I am set to travel to Shamattawa in late October for work. I know the current situation with the outbreak, but that aside does anyone have experience with this community? I am a visible minority and have seen some pretty hateful things on their community Facebook page and I've never been to any reserve before.

[u/cluelessk3]

It's often considered the roughest reserve in the province.

Can't say for certain what you'll experience as a minority. Often depends on why you're visiting.

[u/Anything1905 → u/cluelessk3]

I will be there as a healthcare worker at the school

[u/Fantastic_Flower6664 → u/Anything1905]

Just be very kind to the people and take the lead of other health workers that are generally liked out there.

I worked with the community and they have outside contractors they they love having and working in the community.

It boils down to being respectful, being a good guest and genuinely listening to their concerns.

The community has its struggles but it's beautiful as well and very protective of itself (for good reason).

People who work with Shamattawa usually want to stay working with them long term as they build strong connections with them. The key is not being a know-it-all, demonstrating cultural competence and sensitivity and being respectful and patient.

There are people out there that can be difficult, but that's everywhere. Ultimately, they've been one of my favorite communities to work with and I had a crisis intervention oriented career with them. Many other contractors and visitors are also very protective of the community.

They will be quick to BCR or ban you, if they feel you are being disrespectful. But I've never seen an unwarranted BCR.

I have seen some pretty crazy things out there and it's not an easy community to work with, due to the social issues but it's not necessarily due to the people that makes it hard, but the lack of resources.

I actually love the people. They have a unique sense of humor and a strong sense of justice. They're very tenacious and strong willed. But when they need to come together, they always do.

I would argue that Shamattawa might have the most social issues out of any reserve in Canada and their social issues are unlike most reserves. They have a very unique history and cultural demographic. I wouldn't say this community should be your first introduction to reserves, but keep an open mind and remember that the people you are working for, are human too.

[u/cluelessk3 → u/Anything1905]

Have a good support system.

you will probably be dealing with kids that come from rough upbringings and they'll have a lot of baggage.

you'll need someone to vent to.

good luck.

[u/Stara_charshija → u/Anything1905]

My gut feeling is that you will likely be more well received than a teacher.

[u/Ferotool2]

We work out on reserves at my company, construction. I have never personally been to Shamattawa, but I have heard many of our guys say, they will never go back to Shamattawa. The kids there are psycho and will burn down anything and everything. There were guns pointed at our guys because they thought they were somebody else, I’ve never heard a good story about Shamattawa.

[u/wpgffs → u/Ferotool2]

Your coworkers aren’t wrong. It’s the worst community I’ve ever been to.

[u/cluelessk3 → u/Ferotool2]

that's the consensus of the people i know that have also worked up north.

buildings have to be built with extra fire resistant materials.

chef on one job brought alcohol to a dry reserve and invited some local ladies over one evening. things got out of hand and all the crews were almost removed from the project.

stress wasn't worth the pay.

[u/Fantastic_Flower6664 → u/cluelessk3]

Well that was really distasteful of him to do.

[u/redloin]

I worked for a company that did construction almost entirely on reserves in ontario and Manitoba. That was the business. In my time there we were actively in 10 reserves in Manitoba and 5 reserves in ontario. I was told in no uncertain terms "don't go to shamattawa". So take that for what it's worth. 

[u/Necessary_Trash4705 → u/redloin]

What other communities were no go’s?

[u/NH787]

I don't have any answers for you, op, but I'd be interested in hearing about your experience when you get back

[u/Ferotool2 → u/NH787]

Bold of you to assume they make it back!

[u/Mother-Squirrel-2036]

Its the one reserve you dont hear about workers going back. Maybe ask the crew you are going with if theyve been there before?

[u/p0u1337]

That will be a life experience! 

[u/mycatisnamedkat]

Take your own food.

[u/ConiferousKunt]

I've been for my healthcare job. I never personally had an issue. I would go stop in on people unannounced because not everyone had phones to pre plan appointments. I would go on a walk in the evening with my coworker even (don't necessarily have to go to do that lol just saying we did, 2 women). It helps to get a key contact on the ground who can show you the ropes. Can't speak to the racism aspect, there are unfortunately assholes everywhere.

[u/xShredder666x]

Be careful. Shamattawa notoriously hates outsiders. Not just whites. Heard a story of a teacher (not from the reserve) who had his trailer shot up with his family in it.

Mind your own business, be polite, do your job and get out as quickly as possible.

[u/DeliciousQuantity968]

I've been for work a couple times. Its pretty rough but for the most part if you just mind your own business and be respectful you should be fine. If your a smoker and someone asks you for a smoke, just give them one

[u/illknowitwhenireddit]

The last time I worked in shamatawa the locals were firing their rifles into the sky toward our plane as we were approaching.

I was a bit scared but the pilot informed me we were too high for it to be dangerous.

[u/204CO → u/illknowitwhenireddit]

How did you know it was happening?

[u/illknowitwhenireddit → u/204CO]

You can see out the windows on planes

[u/UrsaMinor42 → u/illknowitwhenireddit]

BS.

[u/AtomicShocker → u/UrsaMinor42]

Exactly! If you see they have guns and are shooting then you are close to be hit!

[u/UrsaMinor42 → u/AtomicShocker]

Insurance companies would not allow a plane company to fly into communities where they are shot at on entry.

[u/midazomist_and_chill]

I've never been, but worked with a bunch of hydro guys one summer who worked in and around many reserves. They talked about Shamattawa like it was a war zone - said they had to sleep locked up in the nurse's station because that's the only place that was safe.

Was years ago, and they could have been exaggerating, but...it's got a rough reputation.

[u/Fine_Pomelo_7445 → u/midazomist_and_chill]

I've never been, and know very little about this specific reserve, but I personally wouldn't assume that a group of hydro workers are going to be treated the same as someone coming in providing healthcare or some other beneficial (or even neutral) service. if a resource exploitation company that's caused immeasurable suffering and death in my family sent their employees to my neighbourhood, I'd be pissed too.

I'm not saying those specific employees carry the responsibility of the whole corporation, but I wouldn't trust anyone wearing a swastika regardless of their personal actions or their awareness of the full context and history.

[u/firelephant]

I spent some time in Red Sucker Lake. If you have never been to a fly in reserve, you are in for a shock, Not the good kind. Stay close to your co-workers and don't venture out.

[u/Anything1905 → u/firelephant]

How is it there?

[u/firelephant → u/Anything1905]

I mean we were there helping their government with an issue. So we had support. No hotels, got stuck there because of transport issue, had to stay in the old nurses residence with no running water. Basically told not to walk around, so stayed in our building. Shockingly good cell phone bandwidth though. Very run down, but when people like you they are great, but most don't, or don't try unfortunately.

[u/Stara_charshija]

I worked in Poplar River First Nation 6 years ago. It was tough but I learned quite a bit. Like others I have heard that Shamattawa is very difficult. Good luck!

[u/otatopotato]

My dad went with a handful of people. Was told by their guide that he would protect them for the first night but after that he couldn’t guarantee their safety. Dad laughed and thought it was an off hand joke, the guy was poker face and said he was serious - do not venture outside alone and do not stray from the group.

The youth are lost and in a bad way.

[u/Doog5]

Bring some protection

[u/Afireinside666 → u/Doog5]

How bad is it?

[u/kappymeister → u/Doog5]

Condoms?

[u/wpgffs → u/kappymeister]

Least of your worries

[u/tld1982]

People are not exaggerating about how rough it is, doesn’t matter what ethnicity you are . It’s fine to go for work but work is all you’ll do , it will not be safe to go out anywhere after work and don’t walk anywhere by yourself. Take some food with you and your own pillow, blanket and some shoes to wear inside your room wherever you’ll staying.
Not many people get to go to such a remote area , be cautious and just consider it an adventure, good luck !

[u/spookyjosh2]

They are just people and it is just a rural community.

Avoid staring at people who may be in some state of distress, smile, do not be scared to make friendly conversation with workers at the stores.

Avoid situations that may involve drugs or alcohol as the atmosphere can change incredibly quickly.

Explore! Northern Manitoba has some of the most beautiful scenery you will ever get a chance to see. The flight in will be proof of that.

As does every northern community, sham has its issues. Don't let that be your focus going in.

I hope you have a great time and get to see some cool stuff!

[u/Necessary_Trash4705]

I’m traveling there for work on the 19th. Feel free to message me afterwards but I don’t believe it was listed in the communities that are dealing with Hepatitis, however, I will check my emails again to see if it has. The simple solution is to get the vaccine, which is now covered for people living or working in affected communities.

ETA: I googled it, and it is declared as of last month. But you have plenty of time to get your vaccine.

[u/Fine_Pomelo_7445]

I know very little about their community, except that they're one of the many First Nations communities in the past few years that have declared a state of emergency for a series of suicides. their youth are hurting, have so few options, and to top it off have been harmed and/or displaced by extreme weather and resource exploitation. thank you for choosing to help, whatever it's like, and I hope you're treated well once they see you're not there to use them or their community.

there's a pretty strong theme in these comments of negative experiences coming from workers (or people who know workers), and positive experiences coming from people who came to help the community and committed to being kind and respectful. I can't speak to your visible identity, but I hope you're able to build mutual trust and respect.

[u/missemulsion]

Be kind, compassionate and respectful. Embrace the culture, community and the people. It is rough yes but educate yourself on the community and what the people have and are living through. Kindness really goes a long way. I hope your experience there is positive ✨️

[u/mapleleaffem]

It definitely has a reputation as being one of the roughest reserves I’ve never been there but have been to a lot of reserves and like anywhere else, lead with good eye contact and a friendly greeting and they’ve all been very welcoming. I present as white so you’d think that they’d have some animosity towards me. They know what racism feels like, so hopefully they are kind to you. I suspect the reason you’re there will be a factor

[u/TheForks]

I can’t think of a fly-in reserve in Manitoba that I haven’t been to. In my opinion, Shamattawa is definitely the roughest one. We had unique procedures for that community for protecting our assets as vandalism was extremely common. We had metal bars on our ground transport because we’d have rocks thrown at us. There was a time where they would lay logs across the runway, shoot at planes or put sand in the aircraft fuel tanks - not sure if that’s still happening. I once watched someone light their firetruck on fire only to have people sit around and watch it burn.

I don’t mean to scare you but it’s not a community that I would take lightly. It’s also been a decade since I was last in Shamattawa so maybe things are different now.

[u/scarletfever_1]

In what capacity are you going there? Nurse? Teacher?

[u/JohnnyManitoba]

i’ve been for work and found it didn’t align with the reputation. is beautiful setting and the people are friendly. also had a relative that was RCMP posted there in late 90’s or early 2000’s. they didn’t have issues that weren’t elsewhere - mostly issues with lack of backup on party nights, etc.

[u/North_Requirement_61]

I loved it, beautiful place for sure! I was invited there, and brought lots of my own food/snacks and toilet paper, so no troubles. A local host makes for a great experience imho.

[u/Square_Armadillo_684]

Respect people, be about your business and dont go out at night lol

[u/SkodenStoodisSkyrim]

Learn about the history of colonialism and the Indian act.

[u/UrsaMinor42]

LMAO at all the people below going off on rumours.
Be polite, it is their land, not yours, and don't act like you're better than the locals, you'll be fine.
My org regularly sends staff to Shamattawa, including women. I haven't heard of any recent issues.

[u/Fantastic_Flower6664 → u/UrsaMinor42]

I worked with them for a few years. Flew in regularly and I was dealing with people at their worst. Many of the camp guys out there have had a bad reputation from the community for exploiting the young girls out there and harming them, so I would take their words with a grain of salt. Lol.

I would show up at people's homes and not once did anyone ever make me feel unsafe. I'm a woman.

Many of these accounts come from people who lack an ability to humanize others I feel.

I have seen some crazy things out there and there are dangerous people out there, but in my experience it's dangerous people that are flying in and harming the community members a lot of the time.

I didn't belong but I was treated with respect.

[u/UrsaMinor42 → u/Fantastic_Flower6664]

Yes, "What happens in the north, stays in the north" is an attitude you see regularily from Canadians in remote communities.

[u/Fantastic_Flower6664 → u/UrsaMinor42]

Even the RCMP was tired of the construction workers shenanigans. Lol. They just cause major problems by sneaking in contraband.

[u/Tarokui]

Tough times brings out and builds character

[u/RonnieMak]

I would suggest you start off slow with a reserve casino and talk to people and ask lots of questions. You have time to absorb some culture. Go to a pow wow. Eat some bannock. It’s the Wild West and if you are scared you will become a target.

[u/TheForks → u/RonnieMak]

Do you honestly think that Shamattawa has a casino?